Is nothing sacred anymore?
That is what some conservatives may be asking about the chicken sandwich chain, Chic-fil-A, after a statement it released.
In a statement, the company said, “We understand that the path toward Better at Together looks different for every business. At Chick-fil-A, Inc., our commitment is to approach this work with intention and humility, always believing the best in one another and striving for common ground.”
“We’re early on in our journey, but we’re honored by the opportunity to steward our organization’s greatest asset – our people – and are energized by the road ahead,” it continued.
Erick McReynolds, the vice president of diversity, equity, & inclusion for the company, said, “Chick-fil-A restaurants have long been recognized as a place where people know they will be treated well. Modeling care for others starts in the restaurant, and we are committed to ensuring mutual respect, understanding and dignity everywhere we do business.”
“These tenets are good business practice and crucial to fulfilling our Corporate Purpose,” he added.
Conservatives have decried diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts as “woke” in recent years. They argue it helps fuel racial tensions, hurts competitiveness and education, attacks Western values, and presents a false reading of American history.
And conservatives went off on Chic-fil-A for talking about DEI.
Political strategist Joey Mannarino tweeted, “We have a problem. Chick-Fil-A just hired a VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This is bad. Very bad. I don’t want to have to boycott. Are we going to have to boycott?”
We have a problem.
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) May 30, 2023
Chick-Fil-A just hired a VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
This is bad. Very bad.
I don’t want to have to boycott.
Are we going to have to boycott?
Meanwhile, conservative commentator Ian Miles Cheong tweeted, “Chick-fil-A has gone woke.”
Chick-fil-A has gone woke. https://t.co/e8DuZPSimS
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) May 30, 2023
Check out some more reactions below:
Whoops, just realized @ChickfilA is overpriced fast food that’s just okay.https://t.co/bV3LT68wEW pic.twitter.com/gWwpSd0jTU
— Huff (@Huff4Congress) May 30, 2023
WTF??
— Kenny Russell 🇺🇸 (@kruss2636) May 30, 2023
Sad. They used to be a solid company
— GirlRight (@bobbimoody) May 30, 2023
join the cult https://t.co/oXzBKGkryA pic.twitter.com/Y7kIOwyzRv
— Tim Pool 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 (@Timcast) May 30, 2023
Everything good must come to an end. Here @ChickfilA is stating it’s commitment to systemic racism, sexism, and discrimination. I cannot support such a thing.https://t.co/Ucofcsfonr
— Wade Miller (@WadeMiller_USMC) May 30, 2023
Sadly, Chick-fil-A is embracing DEI and ESG after being co-opted by race & trans activists who have made it impossible for the organization to reflect the Christian values of its founder. Marxists won't allow belief in Jesus Christ. h/t @lucasmileshttps://t.co/vwlvs8kpyR pic.twitter.com/76KxPY3Apl
— @amuse (@amuse) May 30, 2023
Now before you jump on the boycott wagon against Chic-fil-A, it is worth noting — as conservative commentator Kimberly Ross pointed out — that McReynolds has been in his position as a DEI official since 2020.
While 2020 may feel like it was ages ago, it was not too long ago. But it also is not as though the company just hired him as some Twitter users suggested.
And with that in mind, we have not seen ads from Chic-fil-A promoting drag queens or Pride month. Time will tell what they do this year, but so far we have not seen Pride chicken sandwiches or LGBT-themed packaging from them, or ads talking about systemic racism.
So, maybe, just maybe, hold your fire on the boycott of a company that has not rushed to adopt and celebrate whatever the newest, greatest, social position is at the time.